Using Machine Collections

Machine Collections in Asset Vision are groups of machines that are defined by LDAP queries or a selection of specific machines. The Collections can be used in data views, reports and widgets as an individual data point for the purpose of more easily returning data for a commonly-used set of machines.

1. Define an LDAP Server

1. Define an LDAP Server

Before creating a Machine Collection, it is recommended that an LDAP server is defined.

  1. Navigate to Setup >> Discovery Setup, expand LDAP, and select Server.
  2. In the LDAP Server Address: text field, add the desired LDAP server, as defined using the syntax "ldap://<servername>.
  3. Check the Accept Self-Signed Certificate if the LDAP scan will be using a Self-Signed Certificate.
  4. In the PAD Name: text field, select the PAD server that has access to the defined LDAP server.
  5. Click Save.

2. Create and Verify the Collection

2a. Define the Collection based on the appropriate LDAP filter

2a. Define the Collection based on the appropriate LDAP filter

Next, provide an LDAP filter based on the desired LDAP information that will be used to define the Collection.

  1. Provide an appropriate Name:.
  2. Provide a helpful Description:
  3. For the LDAP filter, provide an LDAP search query, based on standard LDAP syntax, that returns the desired machines to be members of a given Collection.
  4. For the LDAP Server Address:, provide the LDAP server that will be queried for this specific LDAP collection.
  5. Click Save.
  6. Click Update all Collections in the main Collections list window to sync the new definitions with the LDAP server.

2b. Verify the Collection membership based on the provided LDAP filter

2b. Verify the Collection membership based on the provided LDAP filter

Once the LDAP Collection is saved, you can click Edit (the pencil icon) next to the Collection to verify that the LDAP filter is returning the desired results.

Once in the Collection data view, click on the LDAP Collection Computer Member tab to verify that the list of machines is correct. Click Close when verification is complete.

3. Create a Machine Collection based on and LDAP definition.

3. Create a Machine Collection based on and LDAP definition.

The final step is to add a Machine Collection that will be based on the LDAP Definition from the previous step.

  1. In the All Machines Collections under Groups, click New.
  2. In the Create new group dialog, enter an appropriate group name.
  3. Click OK.

Add the LDAP Definition previously created to define the new Machine Collection

  1. Expand the '+' sign next to the Filter section of the new Collection.
  2. In the first drop-down, select LDAP Collection Computer Member.
  3. For the second drop-down, select in.
  4. Next, click the "Advanced" icon (small 'cog' icon), and select Sub Select.
  5. Click the Sub Select link in the text box, and a Sub Select dialog will appear.
  6. In the Sub Select dialog, click the Add filter line icon (to the right of the "Match All" drop-down).
  7. For the new Criteria created, select Collection for the first dropdown.
  8. Select is for the second drop-down
  9. Select the appropriate Collection in the third drop-down (will be the name of the Collection created in Step 2 of this lesson).
  10. Click OK, and then Save.

In the main data view for the new Machine Collection, the same machines that were listed for the Collection should be displayed in th Machine Collection.